Heritage Canyon

Heritage Canyon is a 12-acre wooded structure nature walk dotted with buildings that take the visitor back to the 1800's.  Mid-1800's - 1954: It was a limestone quarry where rock was crushed for field fertilizer, road beds, wing dams and levees. Trucks, trains and river barges hauled it away. 1954 - 1967: The quarry was abandoned in 1954 because dynamiting was damaging both sides of the river. The area became an eyesore to the community with its junk and dilapidated shacks. 1967 - 1999: In 1967, Harold and Thelma Wierenga bought the quarry. They converted the machine shop into a usable workshop and then built their home on the site of the old rock crusher. They changed the quarry, keeping two goals in mind: preserve Midwestern history, emphasizing detail and authenticity; and disturb nature as little as possible as each building is added.  1999 - Present:  After the passing of Harold Wierenga in January 1999, his daughter and son-in-law maintained the Canyon for several years.  However, the volunteer task of maintaining the Canyon was simply too much for the couple.  In October 2005, the City of Fulton was given ownership of Heritage Canyon.  In October 2007, Thelma Wierenga passed away.  A memorial for Harold and Thelma is on display near the entrance into the Canyon.